ONE Fight Night 12 will see a huge featherweight showdown co-main event the card on Friday, July 14. #2-ranked contender Garry Tonon will take on unbeaten Russian Shamil Gasanov. The collision will pit two exciting but very different grapplers against one another, with a potential title shot hanging in the balance.
Gasanov knows he cannot take Tonon lightly. The talented submission ace can find a limb to crank at any given moment. “The Cobra” is clear that he is entering the ONE Championship co-headliner with a clear head.
“Tonon should not be underestimated. Both of us are skilled grapplers, and we pose a threat until the final second of the fight. Maintaining focus is crucial as a single mistake can cost [someone] the victory. He is particularly dangerous with his leglocks,” Gasanov told ONE.
While some may give the advantage of the canvas to the American, “The Cobra” is extremely confident in his skills. So much so that he believes they are on equal footing on the mat. With an extensive history in wrestling and jiu-jitsu, Gasanov plans to be as aggressive as he needs to be against the #2-ranked featherweight contender.
“I do a lot of grappling with black belts and leglock specialists. I also have extensive wrestling sessions with freestyle wrestlers. I never approach a fight with just a defensive strategy. I’ll be launching my attacks from the opening seconds of our bout,” Gasanov stated.
Since arriving in ONE, Gasanov has had Tonon circled on his list of athletes to meet on the global stage. Following Tonon for years, the 27-year-old has been eyeing his chance to prove himself against the American. Not only is it a clear step toward the gold, but it is a matchup that has always intrigued the Russian.
“I have been closely following my division in ONE for a long time, even when I was competing in another league. Fighting Tonon has been a dream of mine for a while. I have watched his fights in ADCC, and I consider him the most dangerous opponent in my division. I never look for shortcuts in my career, so I am fully prepared to face Garry. If I defeat Garry Tonon, I am confident that a title shot will be in my near future,” the 27-year-old said.
With a glint of gold in his eyes, Gasanov is ready to step into the deep end of the featherweight pool. In addition to the ONE Featherweight World Championship, “The Cobra” sees this as a way to show he can hang with the elite in submission grappling as well. For Gasanov, this matchup puts him one step closer to fulfilling a promise to his mother and making his dreams come true in ONE.
“My ultimate goal is to capture the ONE belt, as I have promised it to my mom. I also aim to successfully defend the title, God willing. Additionally, I have a strong desire to compete in submission grappling,” Gasanov said.
ONE Fight Night 12 airs live on Prime Video at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT. The action emanates from Lumpinee Boxing Stadium in Bangkok, Thailand. The event will be free for all Amazon Prime members based in the U.S. and Canada.
